Rep. McBride Votes to Extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitian Delawareans

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) voted to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in Delaware and across the country through April 2029. The vote comes after Rep. McBride signed a discharge petition that forced today's vote on extending TPS protections for Haitian immigrants.

"In Delaware, we protect our neighbors - and that includes those who have come to the United States fleeing unsafe and unstable conditions in search of stability and opportunity," said Rep. McBride. "The Haitian community in Delaware contributes to our health care systems, our economy, and our state's largest sector - agriculture. They are a vital part of the diverse fabric of the First State and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."

Currently, more than 1.3 million people hold TPS protections in the United States, including more than 330,000 Haitians. In Delaware alone, there are more than 5,500 Haitian immigrants, including an estimated 4,800-plus TPS holders, all of whom are an integral part of communities across Delaware.

TPS was initially designated for Haiti following the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere, which killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than a million people. Since then, Haiti has faced continued instability and compounding crises.

In June 2025, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem determined Haiti was no longer designated under TPS. Shortly after, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory citing kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited access to health care. In February 2026, a U.S. District Court blocked the termination of TPS for Haiti. The Trump administration then sought to overturn that decision, and the Supreme Court agreed to pause the lower court's ruling while litigation continues.

"Rather than working to make our immigration system more humane and fair, this administration is advancing a reckless immigration agenda with little regard for legal status, established protections, or basic human decency. It runs counter to our values, and I will continue to advocate for our neighbors," said Rep. McBride.

Since coming to Congress, Rep. McBride has advocated for Haitian Delawareans - particularly in Sussex County - by pressing the administration to extend TPS protections. She has supported efforts to:

• Oppose the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision to partially vacate TPS for Haiti, warning that dangerous conditions persist and urging the Administration to reverse course;
• Urge the State Department to address Haiti's escalating humanitarian crisis by disrupting illicit arms flows and sanctioning gang leaders;
• Recommend actions to Secretary Rubio and former Secretary Noem to help combat illicit firearm trafficking fueling violence in Haiti;
• Urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to extend TPS for Haiti given ongoing catastrophic conditions and the humanitarian and national security risks of termination; and
• Warn that ending TPS would disrupt U.S. health and care workforces, leading to staffing shortages and reduced quality of care.

Rep. McBride has also joined amicus briefs before the Supreme Court arguing to preserve TPS for Haitians, emphasizing their contributions to the United States, the economic harm that would result from termination, and the national interest in maintaining these protections. She also joined a brief ahead of Supreme Court arguments in Trump v. Miot and Mullin v. Doe, cases challenging the administration's efforts to terminate TPS, with potential implications for multiple designated countries beyond Haiti.

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